Qahtan Hussein Taher, an academic researcher at the Mustaqbal Center for Strategic Studies, published a study Dec. 24 examining the role of Iraqi tribes in building a modern state. He wrote, “The Iraqi state has invested in the tribes in a pragmatic way, which has weakened [the role of] government institutions.”
Tribal influence grows stronger when the state is weak. Social researcher Qasim Mohammed confirmed to Al-Monitor, “This influence increased [even more] following 2003, when the Saddam regime fell, and the tribes have managed many government departments by virtue of the ties that government officials running these departments have with the tribes.”
He added, “The tribes were also involved in corrupt deals, and some have interfered to resolve political disputes and protect officials suspected of unlawful activities by helping to halt legal proceedings against them through tribal settlements and the payment of compensation and blood money.”
Tribal communities have their own laws derived from their customs. These tribes developed into social authorities and are effective in resolving many of their internal conflicts. But conflicts between tribes are particularly dangerous these days, while security forces are busy battling IS.
In an attempt to limit tribal conflicts, Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi visited Basra on June 8, calling for tribes to be disarmed. He said, "These conflicts deliver negative messages that serve the enemies, at a time when Iraq is engaged in a war against terrorism.”
As Ammar al-Hakim, leader of Iraq's Shiite Muslim Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council, said in March, “He who points his weapon at his brother is supporting terrorism and IS."
However, Mohammed Sayhood, a member of the parliament's Tribal Affairs Committee, told Al-Monitor, “The calls for disarmament have never succeeded as the tribes have never responded, since they view arms as a guarantee they will be able to defend themselves in the event of any armed clashes.”
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